Football

If you thought beat downs of Florida Gators football were over because former head coach Jim McElwain was jettisoned, boy were you wrong. The Missouri Tigers took it to the Gators on Saturday, blowing out Florida 42-16 in Columbia, Missouri. Not only was the defeat another pure embarrassment for the Gators, it was evidence the program has reached a new low.

OnlyGators.com breaks down UF’s fourth straight loss below.

It was over when: Missouri scored its fourth touchdown of the game with 4:29 to go in the first half. Florida’s defense was abhorrent on the afternoon, and though the Tigers’ first score of the day was on a short field after a special teams mistake, they proved they could move the ball at will against the Gators. This score occurred just two plays after an interception by graduate transfer quarterback Malik Zaire, who was making his first start of the season for Florida. It put Mizzou up 28-3, an impossible margin for UF to even hope to bounce back from.

Exceptional efforts: No one on the Gators deserves accolades from Saturday’s game, though sophomore running back Lamichal Perine did the best he could as the bell cow back. He only gained 66 yards on 19 carries but added a touchdown reception from redshirt freshman QB Feleipe Franks late in the fourth quarter. Aside from Perine, redshirt junior kicker Eddy Pineiro was perfect on two field goal attempts. Franks did go 7-for-10 passing with 98 yards and a touchdown in relief of Zaire.

Important injuries: Perine appeared to injure his right knee on his touchdown catch late in the game; his status is unknown at this time. Redshirt freshman Brett Heggie suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee early in the game and was stretchered off. Entering the game, Florida was down 13 players — most of whom were listed as out for the season — due to injury.

Odds and ends: Florida’s defense gave up 40+ points in consecutive games for the first time since 1971 and 42+ points in consecutive games for the first time since 1917 … the Gators gave up 455 yards to the Tigers, most this season … Florida is giving up more yards per game than any season since 1971 … Florida is giving up more points per game than it has in any season since 1946 … UF is 9-for-30 on third and fourth down combined over the last two games … the Gators are now 18-4 against unranked opponents and 13-10 in games decided by eight points or more … UF’s defense has not recovered a fumble this season; it’s the only unit in the nation not to do so … the Gators are in danger of not returning a kickoff or punt for a touchdown for the first time in 12 seasons

What it means: Welcome to rock bottom, Florida. The Gators may lose out, but no performance will likely be as uninspired and pathetic as the one they put forward on Saturday in Columbia. Florida had no care defensively and absolutely no answers on offense. The bottom has fallen out for this program, and it is now more obvious than ever before that the Gators need a complete refresh in their next coaching hire. Florida failed to recruit defensively in order to replace the studs brought in by Will Muschamp, and it showed more than ever on Saturday.

8 Comments

Very sad to watch. The Gators were snake bit on both sids of the ball. It can’t get much worse (or feel that way right now). Can only hope we hold on to the recruits and a new coach to revive the program. MAC was terrible, Nuss should go, too. Shannon is far too conservati as well. To view field goals after starting at the one as a “victory” is sad for Gator football.. Can only hope for better days to come……Go Gators

We’d be in the same position were we in the MAC, Mountain West, AAC, or Conference USA, Adam. That’s never been more clear to me now than after today’s game. When players quit like happened today, prospective head coaches for next season really have to be scratching their collective heads….and no doubt wondering if it would be worth the extra money to sign on.

Everybody listed on the UAA’s phone directory under Football Operations, coaches, analysts, S&C, secretaries, trainers and managers need to go. This program is way more broken than when Urban left. There is nothing here to salvage. Stricklin’s job of trying to find a decent coach who wants to step into this pile of crap just got 1000 times harder.

WHat can you say this team has quit. It’s up to the coaches to develop players and identify and nurture leaders we have none. And we haven’t since Tebow and that’s recruiting class left.
This is going to take a coach willing to roll his sleeves up and get his hands dirty. It’s not a tweak here and there this is a blow up start over. Attitude culture work ethic PRIDE. You name it get it right Mr. Stricklin Gator Nation is counting on you
T

What comes to mind watching that sad debacle yesterday is the arrogant egomaniacal Foley informing Gator Nation immediately that Dan Mullen wasn’t being considered. He was right there for the taking, but Foley’s ego was bigger than the program, bigger than the school. Sad sad state of affairs. Thank you, Jeremy!

Mullen would have righted the ship (Muschamp debacle), brought in some offensive ability while he had a very good D to back him up. Instead he goes out west and brings in a guy most high school players have never heard of. Thanks Jeremy!

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